How long does it take to get decompression sickness?

Asked by: Tom Chababo

DCS. Note: Signs and symptoms usually appear within 15 minutes or up to 12 hours after surfacing. In severe cases, symptoms may appear before surfacing or immediately afterward. Delayed onset of symptoms is rare but can happen, especially if air travel follows diving.

How long after a dive can you get the bends?

Symptoms of DCS can occur immediately after surfacing or up to 24 hours later. On average a diver with DCS will experience symptoms between 15 minutes and 12 hours following a dive.

Can decompression sickness be delayed?

In most cases of DCS, the symptoms appear immediately upon or soon after surfacing, where in 98% of the cases the clinical presentation is within the first 24 hours. However, in some cases there is delay and the symptoms are first presented more than 24 hours after surfacing.

How long does it take for decompression?

It can take up to 24 hours for the body to return to its normal atmospheric levels of inert gas saturation after a dive. When time is spent on the surface between dives this is known as the “surface interval” and is considered when calculating decompression requirements for the subsequent dive.

What happens if you decompress too quickly?

And if a diver rises to the surface (decompresses) at the right rate, the nitrogen can slowly and safely leave the body through the lungs. But if a diver rises too quickly, the nitrogen forms bubbles in the body. This can cause tissue and nerve damage.

How do I know if I have the bends?

Symptoms can include fatigue and pain in muscles and joints. In the more severe type, symptoms may be similar to those of stroke or can include numbness, tingling, arm or leg weakness, unsteadiness, vertigo (spinning), difficulty breathing, and chest pain.

How deep do you need to go to get the bends?

The Bends/DCS in very simple terms
Anyone who dives deeper than 10 metres (30ft.) while breathing air from a scuba tank is affecting the balance of gases inside the tissues of their body. The deeper you dive, the greater the effect. And the longer you stay at depth adds even more to this effect.

What happens if you fart while scuba diving?

Farting is possible while scuba diving but not advisable because: Diving wetsuits are very expensive and the explosive force of an underwater fart will rip a hole in your wetsuit. An underwater fart will shoot you up to the surface like a missile which can cause decompression sickness.

Will the bends go away on its own?

In some cases, symptoms may remain mild or even go away by themselves. Often, however, they strengthen in severity until you must seek medical attention, and they may have longer-term repercussions.

How do you avoid decompression sickness?

Here’s a look at some of the best tips we’ve come across to avoid decompression sickness and minimize the risk of ever experiencing it ourselves:

1. Plan,Plan, Plan. …
2. Don’t dive drunk or high. …
3. Stay hydrated. …
4. Adhere to safety stops and a slow ascent rate. …
5. Don’t fly immediately after diving.

How do you test for decompression?

Symptoms of decompression sickness include:

1. Joint pain.
2. Dizziness.
3. Headache.
4. Difficulty thinking clearly.
5. Extreme fatigue.
6. Tingling or numbness.
7. Weakness in arms or legs.
8. A skin rash.